Napkin holder



May 29, 1951 A. MGGQVERN y2,554,951

NAPKIN HOLDER Filed July 2l, 1947 ANNA au Gol/ERM Patented May 29, 1951 UNITED TATES OFFICE 2 Claims.

vThis invention pertains to table service and more particularly to napkin rings and holders. It has among its objects to provide a new and improved napkin holder that will avoid one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art. Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved napkin holder that will be self-supporting and adapted to hold a napkin in a more secure and tidy manner. A, further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved napkin holder that will afford means for holding the cutlery intended for a person at a diners place on the table, where the holder and napkin is to be placed.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is further disclosed.

For a better understanding of the invention, its objects and the principles thereof, reference is made to the appended drawings, which together with the following description detail a particular form of the invention. This form is provided as an example and not as limitation on the structures that the claims may in their scope include. y

In the drawings:

Figure l is a front elevation of a napkin holder embodying this invention,

Figure 2 is a plan of Figure 1 with dotted outlines showing the napkin in place and where cutlery may also be included in the napkin ring,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 shows a modified manner in which the napkin may `be used with the napkin holder.

Similar reference numerals relate to similar parts of the structure throughout the drawings.

In the particular structure outlined in the drawings, a base le of rectangular form supports sets of two entwined circles or rings I2 and I3. The set of rings l2 and i3 are spaced some appreciable distance from each other to permit the rolled napkin or napkins ll to be held securely by both. The rings l2 and I3 in their..

intertwining provide segmental openings lli and I6 with an elliptical opening Il as indicated, in each set of intertwined rings. The openings in each set of rings are aligned with those of the opposite set. This allows the napkins to fit in the double aligned openings l and le leaving the openings ll in between them for knives, forks and spoons. The cutlery le may 'be inserted completely through the openings l'l in both sets of rings so they will rest horizontally therein. They may be readily withdrawn when about to be used. This arrangement of cutlery I8 is novel, and has advantages over the usual side-of-theplate method conventionally employed. It makes the usual positioning at the side of the plate at the place of the diner, unnecessary. With the napkin holder made of an attractive plastic, it will present a more suitable appearance than the use of the napkins and cutlery without it. Also the napkins may be in ironed nat form and be placed in between the flat sides lg and 28 respectively, if that method is preferred or when the diner is ready to leave the table and leave his napkin at his place on the table in a tidy manner. This placing of the used napkin in between the ring walls l2 and `I3 is neat and does not require that the napkin ybe folded. The crumpled napkin may be readily inserted in this manner in the holder and at the same time not be unattractive. The holder by reason of its wide base l0 and its form is also very stable and will not fall over unless very roughly treated. The sides i9 and '20 are preferably held in spaced relationship with each other by spacer supports 2l. The V-spaces 2l where the rings join at the top may be used to hold an extra piece of cutlery if necessary, such as a soup spoon. In restaurants the lower inverted V-openings 22 may be used to hold the pencil with which the order is written up by the customer. The form of the holder also enables it to be used for other useful purposes on the table if desired as it has considerable flexibility of use. The structure being open in nature is relatively light, and its openings enable it to be readily handled and carried around. The name of a diner may also be readily stamped or otherwise attached to the flat surfaces of the rings when such identication is desirable. Other features of the holder include convenience in removing and placing the napkins therein, and also make it possible for the napkins to be kept out of contact with the table when in the holder, which the conventional holder cannot do. Also the napkin may be placed in the holder in rolled or flat form.

While but one general form of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in the specifications, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form or in any other way otherwise than limited by base, a plurality of sets of spaced parallel ring elements vertically carried by said base, the rings of each set having a pair of intersection portions in the same plane providing a medial opening and two corresponding openings on each side of the medial opening, the ring elements o one set being secured together by said intersecting` portions, and the three openings of one set being horizontally aligned with the corresponding openings of the other set, said ring elements having flat circular walls and being adapted 'to selectively receive and hold the napkin crosswise in the aligned openings and lengthwise between said sets of ring elements.

2. A napkin holder as set forth in claim 1 including spacing means above the base between the sets of ring elements.

vANNA MCGOVERN.

i REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 147,237 Herzog Aug. 5, 1947 119,500 Bradford Oct. 3, 1871 182,301 Cherrington Sept. 19, 1876 l0 279,805 Ratcliff June 19, 1883 282,286 Dikeman July 31, 1883 290,967 Brady et al Dec. 25, 1883 444,769 Sherman Jan. 13, 1891 542,734 Johnson June 16, 1895 l5 723,729 Powles, Sr Mar. 24, 1903 844,279 Groupe Feb. 12, 1907 964,739 Balke July 19, 1910 FOREIGN PATENTS 20 Number Country Date 687,626 France Apr. 29, 1930 

